Belonging & People Power Community Resources

You told us you want to feel more connected to your neighbors and your community. We heard you. The organizations below are local partners doing that work every day, from building neighborhood leaders to making sure your voice is heard at City Hall and the Statehouse. Take a look, find what fits you, and get involved.

Community Resources

Center for Community Solutions
A nonpartisan research group focused on racial equity. They study health, social, and economic issues and share what they learn with the people making decisions.

• Hires residents as Community Ambassadors to shape policy
• Research and data used by governments, nonprofits, and funders
• Puts community voice in front of decision makers

• Website: https://www.communitysolutions.com

City Club of Cleveland
A place where Cleveland comes together to talk about the issues that matter. Their forums bring people of all ages into real conversations about health equity and our shared future.

• Free and low cost public forums
• Conversations with leaders, experts, and neighbors
• Membership options

• Website: https://www.cityclub.org

Collaborate Cleveland / Time to Care Ohio
Fighting for paid family leave for every Ohioan. They already helped win paid leave for City of Cleveland and Cuyahoga County workers.

• Pushing for up to 14 weeks of paid family leave
• Goal of 85% pay while you're out caring for yourself or family
• Newsletter with news and ways to take action

• Website: https://timetocareohio.org

Neighborhood Connections
Bringing neighbors together in Buckeye, Shaker Square, Woodland Hills, Mt. Pleasant, and Larchmere. They help residents build relationships, share resources, and act together.

• Resident led projects and gatherings
• Support for neighbors organizing around what they care about
• A stronger voice for your block and neighborhood

• Website: https://neighborupcle.org

Esperanza, Inc.
Helping students of all ages reach their education goals and build skills for life.

• Tutoring for CMSD students
• Support for college students
• Adult education programs
• Summer programs and yearly scholarships

• Website: https://esperanzainc.org

Greater Cleveland Congregations
A nonpartisan group of faith communities across Cuyahoga County working for fairness across race, class, and religion.

• Voter engagement and election reform
• Criminal justice reform, including youth and pretrial justice
• Better access to primary care and stable housing
• Organizing for economic fairness

• Website: https://greaterclevelandcongregations.org

Cleveland VOTES
A nonpartisan group helping Greater Cleveland residents get involved and make their voices count.

• Voter education and registration
• Leadership training
• Creative activism workshops
• Grants and training for other community groups

• Website: https://www.clevotes.com

LGBT Community Center of Greater Cleveland
Now serving the east side with programs at three neighborhood locations.

• Rainbow Pioneers: health, wellness, and social programs for LGBTQ+ seniors (Cleveland Heights Community Center)
• Trans+ programs: physical and mental health care, support services, and HIV prevention (Central Outreach Wellness Center)
• Building a Village: connection and support for LGBTQ+ parents of kids 10 and under, with activities for the kids (Noble Neighborhood Library)

• Website: https://lgbtcleveland.org

Signal Cleveland
A nonprofit and nonpartisan newsroom delivering free local news, answers and resources for Greater Cleveland residents.

• Local news on housing, health, education, government, public safety and more
• Cleveland Documenters program, which trains and pays residents to cover public meetings
• Practical guides through How to 216, plus election voter guides
• Free newsletters and text alerts, read by 40,000+ subscribers
• Part of the Signal Ohio network, with sister newsrooms in Akron, Cincinnati and Columbus
• Website: https://signalcleveland.org

Life Exchange Center
A walk in center run by peers for adults dealing with mental health or substance use challenges. Staff have lived through it themselves and are state certified to help.

• Peer support and crisis support
• Referrals to treatment and recovery services
• Computer classes, art therapy, job training, and fitness
• Transitional housing for young adults

• Website: https://www.lifeexchangecenter.org

Neighborhood Leadership Institute
Growing everyday residents into neighborhood leaders.

• 16 week leadership program covering how government works and how decisions get made
• Community book club series
• A network of residents leading change where they live

• Website: https://www.neighborhoodleadership.org

Northeast Ohio Voter Advocates (NOVA)
A grassroots, nonpartisan group making sure every voice is heard at the ballot box.

• Voter registration at food pantries, schools, social service agencies, and correctional facilities
• Focus on communities with low turnout
• Volunteer opportunities

• Website: https://nova-ohio.org

Policy Matters Ohio
A research group working for a fair and inclusive Ohio. They turn complex policy into clear information that residents and advocates can use.

• Research on jobs, wages, taxes, schools, and justice
• Tools for advocates pushing for change
• Works on laws that benefit working families, kids, and older adults

• Website: https://policymattersohio.org

NOBLE (a program of United Labor Agency)
Northern Ohioans for Budget Legislation Equality makes sure residents have a say in how Ohio and county dollars get spent.

• Share how budget decisions affect your daily life
• Advocate for SNAP, Medicaid, public transit, and kinship care
• Education on the state budget and candidates

• Website: https://www.ohiobudgetequality.org

YWCA of Greater Cleveland
Helping people find stability, heal, and build independent lives, while pushing for policies that prevent homelessness.

• Emergency shelter and permanent supportive housing
• Early childhood education
• Trauma informed care
• Job readiness support

• Website: https://www.ywcaofcleveland.org